Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
13:15 Ludlow
This Class 3 0-140 handicap represents a drop in grade for the Kerry Lee trained DEMACHINE (best priced at 11-8) and I feel he should prove hard to beat off top weight. The lightly raced eight-year-old only ran twice in 2021 but both performances were respectable efforts. He finished 2nd behind the now 146 rated Remastered in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot in February where he had the 145 rated Kalooki a further 29 lengths back in third which makes him looked well handicapped here off a mark of 140.
Demachine made his reappearance in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury where he ran well to finish 5th albeit well beaten by the eventual winner Cloudy Glen. The handicapper has dropped him 2lbs for that effort which seems generous and that means he can drop into this 0-140 handicap where he should hold strong claims under regular rider Richard Patrick.
15:30 Taunton
The Tim Vaughan trained YOUNG O'LEARY (best priced at 7-2) has shown his best form at Taunton in his career and should run well back at his favourite track. The eight-year-old has form figures of 4212 at the track with his sole career victory coming in March off a mark of 102 over 2m2f. He made his reappearance at this track over hurdles where he finished 2nd by only ¾ length over 3 miles off a mark of 106 before looking outpaced when dropped back in trip to 2m4f last time at Wincanton.
Young O’Leary has been dropped 1lb down to a mark of 106 and should hold strong claims back at Taunton dropping down in grade from a Class 4 0-115 handicap to a Class 5 0-105 handicap off top weight.
16:00 Wolverhampton
SECRET TO SUCCESS (best price at 16-1) recorded her sole career success here over 6f off a mark of 54 and she has now dropped below that mark for the first time since. The Phil McEntee trained four-year-old has since finished 2nd off marks of 60, 60 and 61 including when only beaten a nose over this course and distance in August.
Secret To Success struggled in the rear last time at Chelmsford under Hollie Doyle but connections now fit her with a first time visor which will hopefully make the job of the in-form Grace McEntee easier in this apprentice handicap off a mark of 52 where bookmakers are paying up to five places.
